My name is Aka episode 25 – 26

MY NAME IS AKA
Episode 25
By AMAH’S HEART

“Over there is the pool, as you can see is clean because I pay the pool guy to make sure it remains tidied both when I’m around or away…”

“Yes sir..” I replied again that’s has been virtually my whole reply as he took me around.

“You’re not allowed close to my private corners, my pool, my gym, my study or my relaxing place, except you’re asked to clean or you see the need to tidy it up. Do you understand..?

“Yes sir..”

“Is a good thing I have a chef, I don’t need you to cook, your only work is to work wherever you’re needed. If you’re called to laundry, you’ve to do it well like your life depends on it. If you’re asked to sweep or clean, make sure you put your best to work. I håte idleness and låzïness, stick to your job and I don’t want to complain over anything not being done right. Do you understand?

“Yes sir…”

“Is not just repeating yes sir to my orders, I want you to ask questions wherever you do not understand, tell me anything that’s confusing, point out something I haven’t introduced or mentioned to you, remind me whatever I missed out, stop following me like a slave and chorusing yes sir to everything…”
“… you’re not my servant, you’re my worker and I’m your boss. This is not a military regime or a directorship. Feel free to ask questions wherever you’re confused. I’m available from now to six more months. I will be off and on to my family house within this period but that shouldn’t stop you in carrying out your duty effectively…”

“Yes sir..” I said absent minded.

He turned and looked at me with a frown

“…no sir, i mean I understand everything you said and will definitely ask if the needs arises. Ms Nneka already put me through some of this things” I replied.

“Good. That will be all then. since you don’t have anything doing this evening you can go to the kitchen and ask chef Sylvester for your food after which you’re free to return to your room..”

“Thank you sir..I appreciate” I replied before turning to leave, be called me back.

“Hey you! Aka… Make sure all the dishes are washed, cleaned and put away before you go to bed. Sylvester will also help out in that area but you’re equally his kitchen assistance and remember your work is generally everywhere. If you don’t have idea and what a maid does you are free to ask Nneka or read up on it. there’s a small TV in the boysquatter sitting room, you are free to watch in your leisure time..”

“Sure sir, thank you…”

“Sylvester, Nneka the housekeeper and Duke the gate man said you’re doing well. I didn’t get any negative news about you after I return, no complain at all and that’s a relief and I hope you keep it up that way..”

“,I will. Thank you sir..”

He shakes his head “must all your replies be yes sir, I will sir, sure sir, you sir, okay sir.. sir…sir..sir huh?

I kept mute

“.. don’t get me wrong, I’m very okay with your sir whatever but I also want you to know that sometimes, you can reply me with my general name. Mr law is the name some of my workers call me. Is that clear..”?

“Yes sir. I mean law, Mr law..” I stammered, cónfused on which to use

He chuckled, waved me off to leave, I quickly did.

After I was done with my entire job for that evening, I went to my room

My room is very comfortable, it has an in-built tøilet and a bathroom.
There’s a big wardrobe space for me, my bed is a student size bed with two comfortable pillows.

It feel like a home for me, even though I know I’m only a worker here.
I haven’t had such a luxury and I’m almost at my third month in this house, I’m enjoying my job.

After I called Mr Law, last two months, he sent address and asked me to resume right away and without wasting time I hurried to the address.

He didn’t have time to take me round or introduce anything to me, he told me he was traveling again and will do proper introduction when he returns but Nneka will show me around.

He travelled again after a week and said he wasn’t going to stay long
he stayed for two months before coming back.
While he was away, there wasn’t much to do and there was no need for extra expenses because almost everything was provided

The other workers were very nice and friendly, we all related well and each person has a room in the quarters, which was beside the main building.

Nneka who’s in her late thirties and told me that Mr Law is very easy to work with, I shouldn’t be scâréd of his behavior or domeneering attitude.

If I can obey his orders and do everything he ask me to, then I won’t have any prøblem with him.

She also mentioned that Mr Law is not very familiar with the country because he lives most of his life outside and his family are still outside while some are in Nigeria.

One of his parents, either his Mom or father is living in the country and he always go visiting.

Nneka said she was the first employer after Mr Law bought his house last year but the only issue is that he’s hardly around.

I was elated, so free and happy in my new home and job.

I don’t even have much to do, I sometimes spend alot of time watching television.

I wasn’t expecting any payment but after the first month, I was given twenty thousand.
I couldn’t believe it because it felt like twenty million.
I didn’t even do much yet I was paid

Nneka said, Mr Law asked her to give me twenty thousand and on his return, my salary will be normalize, which means there maybe more.

I hugged Ms Nneka, thanking her repeatedly.

She was just laughing at my excitement

I decided to follow Nneka to the market one day, I purchased about six different academic book
I bought some novels too because I love reading.
I got few new cloths and foot wear.

I stopped by the barber to trim my hair, to make it very low and neat.

Somebody took my phone charger back at Uche’s place before I came to work for Mr Law, I couldn’t charge my phone or get pin charger for it, I was still talking about getting a charger when the phone fell off from my pocket while I was climbing the stairs one day, during my first week at work, to go clean Mr Law’s balcony

That was how the phone smáshed.

Everything scattered, even the Sim card went missing.
I didn’t even fright, I packed it and trashed.

The only number I have in my head is Mama Zaram
I speak with her with Nneka or Sylvester’s phone.

I updated her about my God given job and how excited I was.
She was equally happy for me and wish me the best.

After Mr Law returned, which was after two months, he informed me that my salary will be thirty thousand naira and I will have to create a bank account for it.

I almost scréämed, it was too much.

Maybe he just want to help me because the work I do is not even upto ten thousand a month, yet he feed me, takes care of toiletries and I have a very comfortable place to sleep,
A whole room to myself.

He paid me twenty thousand naira for two months and said that since he’s back, he will start paying me my real salary.

I didn’t expect this kind of miracle, I felt like the luckiest girl alive.

This is my third month, it’s still feel like a miracle.
I’m saving and also studying in my free time.
My life is getting back to normal and this kind of opportunity can only come from God.

As I lay, facing the ceiling in my room with my belly filled with food and my heart filled with gratitude.
I have an unfinished novel beside my bed.

I’m not yet in the mood for tonight’s reading, I just want to reminiscing over my past life and thank God for his many kindness.

It may seem early to others but I’m counting my blessings as each day comes by and hoping nothing goes wrøng.

Read – Annabella episode 65 – 66

MY NAME IS AKA
Episode 26
By AMAH’S HEART

I heard my name while I was cleaning the upper staircase that morning

I abandoned everything I was doing and rushed down
Mr Law voice can be very loud and there’s a bit of ánger I dictated in it.

“Good morning sir..” I greeted

“When last did you visit my library..? He asked, obviously ångry

“I..uhmm..I haven’t been there since this month..”

“Why haven’t you been there? I went in there this morning and was greeted by cobwebs and dust. That place haven’t been cleaned in a long while, I want to know why..?

“I’m sorry sir I..”

“I don’t want sorry, I want an explanation. The books have turned into spider din because nobody dim it fit to clean it. The last time I checked, that supposed to be your job and the reason why you’re here..”

“I’m so sorry sir! I was careful going in there because you warned me not to be seen in certain places in…”

“Shùt the fvckk up! I remember everything I said and I specifically told you that you can be in those specified places whenever you want to clean them. I didn’t restrict your going to do your normal cleaning or did I..?

“No Sir, you didn’t. I’m sorry.. please forgive me. I will go and tidy it up right away..”

I try to leave but he stopped me with a another hard voice.

“Hey you! Hope you like your job here?

“….Do you want to continue your job here because if this rúbbish repeats itself, I won’t think twice before replacing you with another competent person..”

I apologized again with a bow before leaving.

I spent all morning and afternoon cleaning the library.

I make sure I cleaned each books one after the other.

I haven’t really taken my time to clean the library, it was indeed dusty and I understand his anger.

I try as much as possible to avoid all those places he said he does not want to see me in
The gym, the swimming pool, his relaxing section and the bookplace

I usually clean the gym daily because I know he visits there often, I also tidy up his resting corner and the pool too.

The library, since Mr Law travels alot, No one goes in there and is mostly locked.p

I used to totally forgot that such place was even parts of the house.

It was even Nneka that reminded me of it two months ago and I gave it a thorough cleaning and locked it back up and ever since then, I forgot again.

I didn’t even know that he goes in there to read sometimes.

The key to the library is two, one is with Mr Law and the other is hanged in the key box.
Library is written in it for easy identification.

I felt really bad that the place was indeed dusty.

After sweeping, I mob up the place and make sure the whole book shelf with it’s book were properly cleaned.

In the process of cleaning, I was going through some of the books and they’re quiet intriguing.
Some are philosophy, historical, political and science books were also included.

There are few fictions too but very bulky, they’re not like the Nigeria type I was already used to.
They’re mostly foreign and I later saw some African books in there
The likes of Chinue Achebe’s books, things fall apart. Chiamanda Adichie, half of a yellow sun and Amah’s Heart, The priceless one.

The Priceless One by Amah’s Heart got my interest that I read three chapters of it while standing and relaxing my back on the wall.
I couldn’t drop the book down, it was so interesting.

Is something that I can fully relate to and I was too eager to know what happened to the school girls in secret cøurt.

I heard someone calling my name and I rushed to dropped back the book at it’s position.

It was Nneka who was wondering why I have been for over four hours.

After two days, I told Nneka I was going to clean the library.

I went in there, dust off as usual and rush to carry the priceless one by Amah’s Heart.
I hide at a corner, sat and began to read

I was really taken by the book, i wasn’t ready to drop it down until I’m done with it.
I got to the part were Shalewa was mishandled by Sandra and the rest of the dynamite squared, I began to sigh sadly.
Just then I read the part that Harriet, the fearless one arrive and caught them on a video after challenging them and threaten to expose them.
I scréämed “yes, perfect… that’s it! go girl, Harriet my girl..”

“Who’s there..? A strong voice startled me.

I heard a foot sound approaching.

That was Mr Law
“I’m døom, he will såck me today, what am I supposed to do now..”

I was shaking as I held the book while crawling out of my hidding place.

“…oh God, he warned me, he told me that he does not want to see me here except when I’m cleaning. Now, he will finally dismiss me. Where will I get another Job as this one..?
This was my ninth month here, is not even upto a year and I will be sacked

I don’t even have a place to go to or a Friend to run to for shelter.
I have saved enough money, but getting an accomodations will take it all.

I have about one hundred and twenty thousand in my bank account
I can only get the type of Uche and ify’s kind of room but I will still need money to buy bed, cooking item’s, foodstuffs and so many other things.
I suppose to have more than that in my account but I used part of the money for important thing.
I have been saving so well but is not enough to get me started with the outside world.

I desperately need this job and can’t afford to loose it now.
I don’t even have a phone yet, I planned to get one soon but I keep postponing because I don’t have anyone that’s constantly calling and if I want to make a call, either I use Nneka’s phone or that of Sylvester.
There’s a landline and Mr Law said we can use it but I’m scâréd of touching it.

I spoke with Ify the other day and she told me that she wasn’t with Uche, she was squatting with a friend and even though she’s not comfortable but she’s praying to gather money to get her own place.
She was the one that informed me that getting a room is above a hundred thousand and that includes the agent and agreement.

She asked me about my job and I was too excited and told her that the job is a gift from God
She pleaded with me to make sure I inform her anytime Mr Law needs another domestic staff.
Ify was doing two jobs according to her but is never enough.
She advised me to hold onto my job tight because there’s no job outside.

I already know that, I know the kind of trøuble I went through before I was able to meet Mr Law who gave me this job willingly
I can’t afford to loose it now.

I attended private coaching for three months when Mr Law was away on those his numerous journey.
With the help of Nneka, I paid for this private academy tutor
I attended it for three months and my academic life really improved and got better too
It was worth it all and I never miss any assignments or homework.
I have more text books and novels than I initially had.
I’m aiming to get into high institution in the nearest future
Going back to secondary school wasn’t in my interest anymore and I heard that Mr Law will be traveling in about two months, I planned to upgrade my tutorial lessons

But all my academic ambition, my life goals will be put on hold because Mr Law will dismiss me today.

Tbc